SpaceX Turns Down Military Contracts as Spanish Rocket Near Final Tests
The aerospace giant declined three offers from the Space Force while a Spanish startup prepares its first commercial flight.
By Christopher Singh ·
SpaceX has made a surprising move by rejecting three launch contracts offered by the US Space Force. The company informed the military branch that it is not interested in taking on these specific jobs at this time. This decision comes as a notable shift in how the private sector engages with government defense needs. It highlights a period of strategic reassessment for one of the most dominant players in the launch industry.
The rejection was communicated directly to the Space Force. The contracts in question were for military launch opportunities. By saying no, SpaceX is signaling that it may be prioritizing other aspects of its operational roadmap. This choice could have implications for how the military plans its future satellite deployments and cargo missions. It also suggests that SpaceX is being selective about the types of missions it accepts.
On the civil side of the business, a NASA safety panel has raised new concerns about the Starship vehicle. The panel indicated that a lunar landing mission might require as many as 22 refueling stops in orbit. This number is significant because it suggests a complex logistical challenge for future crewed missions to the moon. The safety review is a critical step in ensuring that the vehicle is robust enough for the demands of deep space travel.
While SpaceX deals with these internal and governmental decisions, a European company is making steady progress on its own hardware. PLD Space, based in Spain, reports that its Miura 5 rocket is nearing final integration. This small lift vehicle is scheduled for its first launch next year. The company has already built three of these rockets. The first two were used to test and qualify key system elements. The third is the one intended for the inaugural flight.
Raúl Torres, the CEO of PLD Space, provided an update on the program's status. He noted that the manufacturing of the three vehicles allowed their teams to work continuously across different production stages. This approach enabled them to apply lessons learned from qualification campaigns directly to the launch vehicle. One second stage of the Miura 5 is now fully integrated. This stage is undergoing system level testing under representative operating conditions. The testing is taking place at the company's facility in Teruel.
The qualification campaign for the second stage includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot fire test. These tests are essential for verifying that the rocket can withstand the stresses of launch. PLD Space now targets a first flight date before mid 2027. This timeline reflects a cautious but optimistic outlook for the company. Success in this area would mark a significant milestone for European small lift capabilities.
Meanwhile, a Canadian startup named Reaction Dynamics is seeking to expand its operations significantly. The company is looking to raise 350 million dollars. This funding is intended to grow its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. Reaction Dynamics is developing a small lift rocket called Aurora. The company hopes to reach orbit with this vehicle in 2028. In addition to the Aurora, the company has announced plans for a medium lift rocket named Borealis. This second vehicle is targeted for a debut by 2031.
The fundraising effort for Reaction Dynamics underscores the competitive landscape in the launch industry. Many startups are vying for capital to bring their new rockets to market. The push to hire more personnel indicates a belief in the company's growth potential. The timeline for the Aurora and Borealis rockets suggests a phased approach to entering the market. This strategy allows the company to build experience with smaller vehicles before tackling larger, more complex systems.
The industry as a whole is seeing a mix of strategic pivots and steady technological advancement. SpaceX's decision to decline military work shows that even the largest players are making calculated choices. At the same time, companies like PLD Space and Reaction Dynamics are pushing forward with their development schedules. These efforts contribute to a growing ecosystem of launch providers. The next few years will be critical for determining how these new capabilities translate into routine commercial and government operations.
